Criminal Justice Committee 21 May 2025
It is vital because, unless we have the data, we do not know what we are dealing with. First, the public have to have an awareness of the issues. If I see someone who has been strangled, I think about the medical side and the criminal justice side—I wear two hats.
From a medical perspective, improved data collection is important because, if someone does not have a history of strangulation, or if that history does not follow the person through their medical journey, there might be no appreciation of why they have particular symptoms or signs and why they are reacting in the way that they are. With strokes, psychological issues or swallowing issues, for example, we need to know whether the person has been strangled. There is not enough awareness among professionals, but we are trying to change that.
10:15On the criminal justice side, everyone in the chain needs to have an awareness of strangulation and an appreciation of its dangers, because that might affect bail conditions. I said in my written submission that strangulation should be seen as a
“red flag for future lethality”.
That must be appreciated. We cannot lump it together with a slap, kick or punch, because it is a different beast and must be treated as such.
Everyone who is making decisions must have an awareness of who has been strangled and who has strangled someone, and they must know what that could mean.